Variable-speed gearing.



PATENTBD AUG. 27, `1907. F. EAsoMT. J. BIGGS.

'VARIABLE'SPBED GEARING. APPLIcATroI rmzn un. 30,1906.

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No. 864,233. l PATENTBD'AUG. 27, 1907.

- F. BAsoM & T. J. BIGGs.

v VARIABLE SPEED GEARING.

APPLIGA'TIoN FILED 23.30.1900.

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UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

FREDERIGK EASOM, OF BEESTON, AND THEODORE JAMES BIGGS, OF NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO HUMBER LIMITED, OF BEESTON, ENGLAND.

VARIABLE-SPEED GEARING.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK ErisoM and THEO- DoRE JAMES Brees, subjects oi the King of England, and residing, respectively, at Beeston and Nottingham, in Nottinghamshire, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Variable- Speed Gearing, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to variable speed gearing chiefly applicable to velocipedes and the like and reiers more particularly to hub-contained gearing of the kind in which two sets oi epicyclic wheels are employed.

Hitherto it has been usual to employ in connection with the planet pinions of the epicyclic gears a sun pinion common to both sets and mounted on the xed axle, this sun pinion being capable of being put into gear with both sets of epicyclic pinions or out of gear with one while remaining in gear with the other set, and by the same movement be locked to the fixed axle in order to give the requisite gear changes. The objection to this arrangement is the difficulty experienced in moving the pinions into gear with one or the other sets of epicyclic pinions after it has been moved out oi gear as desired, and it is the chief object of the present invention to obviate this diculty.

According to this invention two separate and distinct sun pinions are arranged side by side on the fixed axle and one7 thatnearest the driving member, gears with the set of epicyclic pinions carried by the said member and the other pinion with the set oi epicyclic pinions carried by the wheel hub.

The sun pinions are each formed with clutch members or teeth on both sides, those on the inner side serving to connect one pinion to the other, and those on the outer side to connect them to their respective fixed clutch members which are secured to the ixed axle on the outer sides of the pinions, so that an outward movement of either oi the pinions disconnects the one from.

the otherand a further movement in the same direction rigidly connects it to the fixed axle through the agency of the corresponding iixed clutch. Springs are interposed between the pinions and their respective fixed clutches on the axle so as to move the said pinions towards one another.

In order to insure that these sun pinions are not both locked to the spindle'at the same time, and to insure their being returned into the position in which they can be locked together, the sun pinions are operatively connected with a reciprocating rod or the like by mechanism which separately moves or insures the separate movement of either sun pinion. The operating mechanism disposed between the reciprocating rod and the sun pinions comprises a split bolt or slippers having Specification of Letters Patent. Application flied rpm 30,1906. serai No. 314,571.

Patented Aug. 27, 1907.

with which the respective sun pinions are constantly in mesh and which do not slide are indicated as merely showing their relation to the sun pinions during the phases of the gear and not as in an actual construction of the gear. Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. l showing the arrangement oi the slippers. Fig. 5 is a section through the stationary spindle. Fig. 6 is a view of the slippers separately. Fig. 7 is a view Vsimilar to Fig. l showing a modification in which the slippers are omitted. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation 0i a hub embodying the mechanism according to the present invention.

A A1 are the sun pinions, B B1 their respective planet pinions, C is a stationary clutch with which the pinion A can be locked, G1 a similar clutch with which the pinion A1 can be locked.

D is the reciprocating operating rod, E E1 are the springs for operating the sun pinions.

F is the stationary spindle, G are the slippers connecting the reciprocating rod with the pinions.

The two sun pinions A A1 are loosely mounted upon the stationary hub spindle F so that they can rotate on vthe spindle and also move longitudinally upon it. Mounted on the stationary spindle is a collar F1 against which the pinions A A1 are forced by the springs E E1 respectively. This collar prevents the pinions being moved too far and avoids the likelihood oi either of the pinions coming into mesh with the planet pinions oits neighbor. On their outer sides the pinions A A1 have jaw clutch members a and are also provided on their inner sides with similar clutch members, these latter clutch members .being adapted to engage and lock the pinions together when the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. l. The collar Gis screwed on to the spindle and the collar C1 secured to the spindle by a pin; these collars may, however, be secured in any other appropriate manner. The spindle F is bored centrally at f for the passage of the operating rod D which carries at its inner end a cross pin D1. The spindle is also slotted and the pin on the end oi the reciprocating rod passes through the slot F2 in the spindle.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. l, the pinions A A1 are locked together by the clutch teeth a1 so that they rotate together as one. When thus locked the hub which carries the planet pinions B1 is rotated at the same speed as the driving member, since the planet pinions B being carried by the driving member gear with an internal ring of teeth on the hub and are also locked to the planet pinions B1 which are carried by the hub. If now, the operating rod D be moved to the left, the cross pin will engage with an inwardly extending projection G3 on the slipper G which is also in engagement by projections G1 and G4 with an inwardly extending collar on the sun pinion A1. This pinion will therefore be moved to the left against the action of its spring E1 until by its clutch surface a it is locked to the teeth c of the clutch member C1. The pinion A will not be inter iered with by this motion of the pinion A1 but willremain pressed against the collar F1 by its spring E. The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 2 which is the low speed of the gear, the motion of the driving member being transmitted to the planet pinions B1 while the pinion A rotates idly.

The'high speed of the gear is obtained by moving the operating rod D to the extreme right. During the movement of the rod, the cross pin will be moved from contact with the inwardly extending'projection G3 of the slipper connected With the pinion A1 and will come in Contact with the projection G3 of the slipper G connected with the pinion A causing this pinion to be moved to the right against the action of its spring E. Before the ypinion A is locked by its clutch surface a to the teeth c of the member C, the sun pinion A1 will'be moved out of contact with the teeth c of the clutch C1 the clutch before the pinion A1 is locked to its clutch member. The Cross pin forthis purpose engages with the projection G2 of the slipper connected with the pinion A1 and moves it into the position shown in Fig. 3, and also moves the pinion A into the position also shownin that figure.

It is to be noted that the slippers G will Without the aid of the springs E E1 effect the operationof the pinions A A1 in both directions to change the speed ofthe gear from the high` to the low or vice versa. These slippers cannot, however, return the pinions into the position in which-they are lockedtogether as shown in Figs. l and 4, and where this phase ofthe gear is required, the springs E E1 must be relied upon. The slippers G are disposed side by side in the slotted or hollow part of the spindle as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and rest upon thecross pin D1. The arrangement of the projections on` these slippers is clearlyshown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to the construction shown in Fig. 7 in whichthe slippers G are omitted. The cross pin D1 in this case projects at both ends through the slots in the spindle F so as to `engage with the inner ends ofthe pinions A A1. 1n the operation ofthe sliding rod D this cross pin moves either ofthe pinions in accordance with this direction of motion to their extreme outer position, that is to say,'into the position in-.which thev pinions are locked to the stationary clutch members C C1, the springs E E1 being relied upon to return the pinions to their normal position in which the pinions are locked together, as shown in the ligure.

As above stated, the flat pinions B B1 as illustrated in Figs. l to 4 and 7, are not intended to represent gear showing the application of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 8.

Thev planet pinions B0 are carn'ed by a block or plate B* connected with the driving sprocket .l and the planet pinions B10 are cairied by the wheel' hub H. The pinions B0 and B10 are inconstant meshwith their respective sun pinions A0 A10 mounted on' the stationary spindle F0. an internal ring of teeth H1 on the hub and. attached to the block B* is an internal ring of teeth B20 gearing with the planet pinions B10.

For the normal gear the planet pinions A0 andAl0 are locked together and rotate as one. These pinions being hcld in this position by the springs E0 yand E10 as shown in Fig. 8. I The motion of the driver' is transmitted to the planet pinions B0 which is transmitted by the internal ring of teeth B20 toz the planet pinions B10 rotating upon the sun' pinion A10 which has been locked by the movement of the operating rod D0.

ln the high. speed' of the gea1,.the planet pinionA0 is held stationary and the pinion A10 is disengaged vfrom its stationary clutch by the spring E10, motiony to the driver is conveyed by'the pinions B0 rotating uponthe sun pinion A0, to'the internalring of teeth H1 on the hub and this is the highest speed ofI the gear.

What we claim as our invention andV desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a multiple speed-gear the combination of two sets of planet-pinions, a support, two rotatable parts both borne by said support and each carrying one set of the planet-pinions a gear-ring also carried by each part engaged with the planetpinions of the other set, bearingballs between adjacent races on the two rotatable parts, two locking-members fixed on saidv support, two co-ax'ial sun-pinions one allotted to each set of planet-pinions, each sun-pinion being borne by and rotatable around said support and having two locking-devices one device on each end and furthermore being movable endwise along the support, yielding means tending to keep the sunpinions clear of the locking-devices on the support`- and interlocked with one another, means for moving each of the sun-pinions into engagement with one of the two The pinions B0 gear with j These planet pinions being car:

ried by the hub transmit rotary motion to=it.

locking-members, and stops for the sun-pinions, to limit planebpinions a gear-ring also carriedby eachpart engaged with the planet-pinions of the other set, two locking-members fixed on said support, two coaxial sun-pinions one allotted to each set of planet-pinions, each sunpinion being borne by and rotatable around said support and having two locking-devices one device on each end and furthermore beingmovable endwise along the support,

yielding means tending to keep the sun-pinions clear of the locking-devices on the support and interlocked with one another, means for moving each of the sun-pinions into engagement with one of the two locking-members, and stops for the sun-pinions to limit the motion of each sunpinion away from the related stationary locking-member and prevent said pinion from becoming un-meshed from its planet-pinion.

3. In a multiple speed gear the combination of two setsl of planet-pinions, a support, two rotatable parts both borne by said support and each carrying one set of the planet-pinions a gear-ring also carried by each 'part engaged with the planet pinions of the other set, two locking-members xed on said support, two co-axial sun-pinions one allotted to each'set of planet-pinions, each sunpinion being borne by and rotatable around said support and having a locking device that is in juxta-position with one of the xed locking members-and furthermore being movable endwise along the support, yielding means tendA ing to keep the sun-pinions clear ot' the locking-devices on the support, means for moving each of the sun-pinions into engagement with one of the two locking-members, and stops for the sun-pinions to limit the motion of each sun-pinion away from the related stationary locking-mein ber and prevent said pinion from becoming unmeshed from its planet-pinions. y i

4. In a multiple speed gear the Combination of two sets of planet-pinions, a support, two rotatable parts both borne by said support and each carrying one set of the planet-pinions a gear-ring also carried by each part engaged with the planet-pinions of the other set, two lockiug-me1nbers fixed on said support, two co-axial sun-pinions, one allotted to each set of planet-pinions, each sunpinion being borne by and rotatable around said support and having alocking-device that is in juXtaposition with one of the said stationary locking-members and furthermore being movable endwise along the support, yielding means tending to keep the sun-pinions clear of the locking devices on the support, and means for moving each of the sun-pinions into engagement with one of the two locking members.

5. In a multiple speed gear the combination of two sets Y of planet pinions, a spindle with a slot therein, two casings rotatable upon said spindle and each carrying one set of the planet-pinions a ring of teeth also carried by each casing engaging with the planet-pinions of the other set, bearing-balls interposed between the two casings, two

vclutch members fixed on said spindle, two co-aXial sunpinions one allotted to each set of planet-pinions, each sun-pinion being borne by and rotatable around said spindle, and each having two sets of clutch-teeth one set on each end and furthermore being movable endwise along the support, two springs one in compression between one end of each sun-pinion and the adjacent end of the fixed clutch member on the spindle, an operating rod extending into the slot of the spindle, and having a projection extending theretrom and occupying only a portion of the length of the slot in the spindle, and two slipper pieces in sliding engagement with the spindle and of a length less than that of the slot in the spindle one engaged with and allotted to each sun-pinion and each provided with a slot into which thc projection from the operating rod enters, said slot being of a length greater than the length of the projection.

6.A In a multiple speed gear the combination of two sets of planet-pinions, a spindle with a slot therein, two casings rotatable upon said spindle and each carrying one set of the planet-pinions a ring of teeth also carried by each casing engaging with the planet-pinions of the other set, two clutch members fixed lon said spindle, two coaxial sun-pinions one allotted to each set of planet-pinions, each sun-pinion being borne by and rotatable around said spindle, and each having two sets of clutch-teeth one set on each end and furthermore being movable endwise along of planet-pinions, a spindle with a slot therein, two

the support, two springs one in compression between one end of .each sun-pinion and the adjacent end of the fixed clutch member on the spindle, an operating rod extending into the slot of the spindle, and having a projection occupying only a portion o1 the length of the slot in the spindle and two slipper pieces in sliding engagement with the spindle and of a length less than that of the slot in the spindle one engaged with and allotted to each sunpinion and each provided with a slot into which the pro jection from the operating rod enters, said slot being of a length greater than the length of the projection.

7. In a multiple speed gear the combination of two sets of planet pinions, a spindle with a slot therein, two casings rotatable upon said spindle and each carrying one set of the planet-pinions a ring of teeth also carried by each casing engaging with the planet-pinions of theother set, two clutch members fixed on said spindle, two coaxial sun-pinions one allotted to each set of planet-pinions, each of said sun-pinions being borne by and rotatable around said spindle and each having clutch teeth and furthermore being movable endwise along the support, an operating rod extending into the slot of the spindle and having a projection occupying only a portion of the length of the slot in the spindle, and two slipper-pieces in sliding engagement with the spindle and of a length less than that of the slot in the spindle one engaged with and allotted to each sun-pinion and each provided with a slot into which the projection from the operating-rod enters, said slot being of a length greater than the length of the projection. y f

8. In a multiple speed gear the combination of two sets casings rotatable upon said spindle, and each carrying one set of the planet-pinions a ring of teeth also carried by each casing engaging with the planet-pinions of the other set, two clutch members iixed on said spindle, two coaxial sun-pinions one allotted to each set of planet-pinions, each of said sun-pinions being borne by and rotatable around said spindle, and veach having two sets of clutch teeth one set on each end and furthermore being movable endwise along the support, two springs one in compression between one end of each sun-pinion and the adjacent end of the iiXed clutch-member on the spindle, and an operating rod in operative connection with the sun-pinions and stops for the sun-pinions to limit the motion of each sunpinion away from the related stationary locliingmember and prevent said pinion from becoming -un-meshed from its planetpinions.

9. In a multiple speed gear the combination with two separate sets of planet pinions of a separate sun pinion allotted to each set and always in mesh with its respective planet pinions, a stationary member contiguous to each sun pinion, means for locking either pinion to its 'respective stationary member, means for locking the sun pinions together and a spring acting upon each sun pinion and tending always to force them togethe'r.

10. In a multiple speed gear the combination with two separate sets of planet pinions of a separate sun pinion allotted to each set and always in mesh with its respective planet pinions, a stationary member contiguous to each sun pinion, means for locking either pinion to its respective stationary member and means for moving the pinions along the spindle.

11. In a multiple speed gear the combination with two separate sets of planet pinions of a separate sun pinion allotted to each set and always in mesh with its respective FREDERICK EASOM. THEODORE JAMES BIGGS.

Witnesses:

H. L. DAVEY, JAS. I. ALLBRITT. 

